It was first discovered by a young man, who, observing the crows very busy at it, went to view it, and at coming home told his father; but his father, thinking it only the effect of an idle imagination, took no further notice of it till some days after, when some other persons, going that way, also perceived it; but not yet thinking it worth their while, or else being afraid to meddle with it, they let it lie some days longer; by which time the crows had almost entirely carried off all the body, except the bones; which, 'tis said, about the breast and ribs, very much resembled the human anatomy; but as it draws towards the tail, ends entirely a fish. This strange phenomena has occasioned no small speculation all over that part of the country, as well as in some parts of this city. However, we are told it has been since discovered, or at least thought to be only a porpoise with his snout cut of; but whether a porpoise has ribs resembling a man's, or anything like hair on its head, must be submitted to those who are better acquainted with the dissection of those fishes than we dare pretend to be.

March 10, 1746:

By a law of the Colony of New York, passed in the nineteenth year of his present Majesty's reign, a Publick Lottery is directed for £22,500, consisting of 15,000 tickets, at 30s. each, 3,000 of which to be fortunate, viz.:

15,000 tickets, each 30s., makes £22,500.

15 per cent to be deducted from the prizes.

The drawing to commence on or before the first day of June next (notice thereof will be given in the New York Post Boy, fourteen days before), at the City Hall of New York, under the inspection of the Corporation, and such persons as each county shall respectively appoint. The managers to be sworn, and to give sufficient security for the faithful discharge of their trust. The whole will be regulated with respect to the tickets, the drawing, keeping the accounts, and other particulars, as near as can be to the method practiced in England. Publick notice will be given when the tickets are to be put into the boxes. The fortunate tickets, and also the blanks, will be published weekly in the New York Post Boy. Such as forge or counterfeit any ticket, or alter the number, and are thereof convicted, shall suffer death, as in case of felony. The money to be paid to the possessors of the benefit tickets as soon as the drawing is finished. Tickets are to be had at the dwelling-houses of Messieurs Peter Vallete, Peter Van Brugh Livingston, and Gabriel Ludlow, who are appointed managers.

N. B.-A very considerable number of tickets are already engaged, and will this day be delivered to the purchasers.

New York, 10th March, 1745-6.

April 7, 1746:

To the Beaux Esprits engaged in the midnight expedition last week:

GENTLEMEN—We cannot forbear joining the universal acclamation of our fellow-citizens upon your late surprising achievements. It was not long before that we had traced you by a range of broken windows and curious pieces of black paint. These attracted the wondering eyes of passengers, and became the sole conversation of the town. But how have you surpassed yourselves by the general assault made by the body of your fraternity upon the knockers of the doors of houses in this city! pernicious instruments, that by their thundering noise have often terrified families, occasioned faintings, and sometimes bro't on miscarriages! This, gentlemen, was as serviceable, laudable, and glorious an enterprise as we have an account of in the history of the RENOWNED DON QUIXOTTE! Your perfections are truly of your own acquiring! The suddenness and secrecy of your nocturnal sallies, the celerity of your movements, and the dexterity of your limbs, are to be wholly ascribed to your own personal genius and application. By this immortal adventure you have at once signalized yourselves, and dispersed your reputation throughout the

whole province. We, with the rest of our fellow-citizens, are greatly afflicted, and filled with becoming resentments, on this extraordinary occasion. But your well-known and generous disregard of popular applause renders it entirely vain to enter upon an elegy on your wonderful qualities; and, indeed, your actions soar as much above the rules of praise as they do that of envy; we shall therefore only concur with the voice of the people, that, in consideration of this gallant exploit of your fraternity, each of the worthy members, as a reward justly due to their high deserts, may (by the leave of our vigilant magistrates) be generously advanced to the most PUBLICK POST in the city.

We are, gentlemen, your hearty well wishers,

P. L. G. D. P.

June 9, 1746:

By His Excellency the Honourable GEORGE CLINTON, General and Governour-in-Chief of the Province of New York, and the Territories thereon depending in America, Vice-Admiral of the same, and Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet:

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, the present circumstances of publick affairs make it necessary to prohibit all and every vessel whatsoever, sailing out of this province, I have, therefore, thought it fit, by and with the advice of his Majesty's Council, to issue this proclamation, hereby, in his Majesty's name, strictly prohibiting any vessel whatsoever to sail out of this port for the space of one month from the date hereof, unless my order in Council be first obtained for that purpose; and the officers of his Majesty's Customs, and a'l others whom it may concern, are to take care that due obedience be given to this proclamation, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost peril.

Given under my hand and seal at-arms, in the city of New York, the second day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six, and in the nineteenth year of his Majesty's reign. G. CLINTON.

By His Excellency's command,

GEO. BANYER, D. C. C., Com.

God save the King.

September 20, 1746:

A REWARD OF TEN POUNDS

To any one who shall discover the person or persons who set fire to the leaves in my woods, on Saturday afternoon last, behind my barn, so that he or they may be brought to justice, paid by me,

NICHOLAS BAYARD.

Notice is hereby given to all persons whatsoever, that after the date hereof, the first person that it can be proved against, that shall fire a gun in my woods, or any inclosure on my farm near fresh water, must expect to be sued for trespass, and all damages that I have sustained by firing of guns, &c. ; and the reason of my giving this publick notice is, that they may not hereafter plead ignorance. On Saturday afternoon last, the dry leaves in my woods behind my barn was set on fire, and very probably by the wad of a gun; and, the wind blowing fresh; it soon got to a great head, and within forty yards of my stacks of hay, grain, barn, &c. ; but by a chance discovery and timely assistance of some people at work hard by, the fire was happily extinguished.

NICH. BAYARD.

January 19, 1747 :

On Wednesday last, in the forenoon, a fire broke out in the roof of the City Hall, at some distance from the chimney; but by the immediate attendance of the Magistrates, and assistance of the inhabitants (who have always been remarkable for their readiness and dexterity on such occasions), it was soon extinguished. Three persons were observed to be extraordinary active and useful: one was Francis Davison, a carpenter (being the same person that was so instrumental in extinguishing the fire formerly in the cupola of the new Dutch Church), who got out upon the roof with an axe, and cut the roof open where the fire was; the engines at the same time playing the water upon him, and the weather being intensely cold, by the time the fire was out, he was cloathed with ice : the other two persons, Duncan Brown, mate, and John Ebbets, mariner, belonging to a vessel in the harbour.

The next day the Corporation met, and sent for the said Francis Davison, Duncan Brown, and John Ebbets, when the Mayor returned them the thanks of the Corporation for their good services, and

ordered seven pounds to be paid to the said Francis Davison, and four pounds each to the said Duncan Brown and John Ebbets, by their Treasurer, and also ordered each of them to be presented with the freedom of the Corporation, as an encouragement to others to behave with the same spirit and diligence on such occasions.

It is not certainly known how the fire began; but as it first broke out under the shingles in a room where the criminals were confined, and at a considerable distance from the chimney, it is generally believed the fire was put there by those criminals.

January 26, 1747 :

As several persons have signified their desire of hiring books from the Library belonging to the Corporation of this city, but the time of attendance being short, and the cold weather rendering it uncomfortable, they neglect it, this is to give notice that on any person's signifying a day beforehand what book they would have, they may, at any time, have such book of the printer hereof, they giving the usual security for the same. Catalogues to be had for sending for. February 9, 1747 :

Our kind readers must now naturally expect a great dearth of news, and we are, therefore, quite at a loss what to give that may be agreeable; we must then beg their patience, when we tell them what can be no news here, and what too many of them know experimentally better than we can express; but as it may be news in distant parts, it can't be altogether unreasonable, since we have nothing else better to say. The deplorable circumstances this city is under, from a long series of cold and freezing weather, is matter of concern to all. This now not only hinders our foreign navigation (and so, consequently, prevents news), but occasions our fire-wood to be so scarce and dear as was never equalled here before; the price being from 40s. to 58s. a cord, and almost half the inhabitants in want. Provisions, also, are excessive dear; a good turkey, which scarcely ever before exceeded 38. 6d., has lately been sold for 58. ; a fat fowl for 1s. 6d. ; a pound of butter for 14d., and many other things proportionable. Under all these disadvantages, what must our poor suffer! Our rivers continue full of ice, and a gloomy prospect now o'erspreads them.

March 2, 1747:

CITY OF NEW YORK, 88. Whereas, the health of this city (with God's blessing) greatly depends on the freeing the streets, lanes,